Lubricant collecting assembly for construction machines

ABSTRACT

A lubricant collecting assembly for a construction machine is disclosed herein. The lubricant collecting assembly includes a mount assembly and a tray assembly. The mount assembly includes a base portion. A first and second longitudinal walls extend from opposite sides of the base portion. The first longitudinal wall defines a mounting portion. A transverse wall extends from a first end portion of the base portion between the first and second longitudinal walls. The transverse wall defines a tab portion. A lip portion extends from a second end portion of the base portion and is of lesser height than the transverse wall. The tray assembly is removably positioned on the mount assembly and includes a first and second longitudinal side walls. The first and second longitudinal side walls define wing portions extended outwardly relative to the first and second longitudinal side walls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to construction machines. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a lubricant collecting assembly for construction machines.

BACKGROUND

Various construction machines, such as industrial shovels, are employed to perform several operations such as, excavation, demolition, digging, and the like. These construction machines generally include a pivotable lift arm assembled with a machine frame via a pin joint. The pin joint is lubricated at regular intervals to minimize metal-to-metal wear that would occur without such lubrication.

In certain situations, to ensure that the pin joint is completely filled with lubricant or grease, the service person may continue to add grease until it extrudes from the periphery of the joint. Often the excess grease may fall from the pin joint and onto the ground and/or various parts of the construction machines. Such unmanaged disposal of grease is unsightly, subject to causing slippery surfaces and environmentally undesirable. It is known to install a lubricant collecting assembly within a construction machine to collect the dripping lubricant. However, the structure of these collecting assemblies make it difficult to service and clean, especially when the collecting structure is full of grease.

Japanese patent, JP2005200970A discloses a shovel, in which a boom is connected with a frame via a pin joint. A container for collecting grease drippings is provided at the bottom of the frame. Such assembly includes the container positioned, which is difficult to access and cumbersome to install and remove for re-usage. Moreover, the container is placed at the bottom of the frame and therefore lubricant must travel a long way to be collected inside the container, which may still cause some lubricant to fall on surrounding surfaces of the machine or the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a lubricant collecting assembly for a construction machine. The construction machine has a pivotable lift arm assembled to a machine frame via a pin joint. The lubricant collecting assembly collects lubricant that drips from the pin joint. The lubricant collecting assembly includes a mount assembly and a tray assembly.

The mount assembly is attached to the machine frame and includes a base portion, a first longitudinal wall, a second longitudinal wall, a transverse wall, and a lip portion. The base portion has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall are both extended from the base portion. At least one of the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall has a mounting portion for attaching the mount assembly to the machine frame. The transverse wall extends from the first end portion of the base portion and is positioned between the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall. The transverse wall includes a tab portion and defines a first height. Further, the lip portion is extended from the second end portion of the base portion between the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall. The lip portion defines a height. The height of the lip portion is lesser than the height of the transverse wall.

Further, the tray assembly is structured and arranged to be removably positioned within the mount assembly and retained by the tab portion of the transverse wall of the mount assembly. The tray assembly includes a first longitudinal side wall and a second longitudinal side wall. Both the first longitudinal side wall and the second longitudinal side wall define wing portions extended outwardly relative to the first and second longitudinal side walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction machine illustrating a moveable lift arm which includes a pin joint at the lift arm pivot and being subject to servicing with lubrication;

FIG. 2 is a an enlarged perspective view of an underside portion of the lift arm pivot of the construction machine of FIG. 1, illustrating a lubricant collecting assembly for collecting the lubricant dripping from the pin joint;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the lubricant collecting assembly shown in FIG. 2 with the surrounding elements of the machine removed;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a mount assembly of the lubricant collecting assembly shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a tray assembly of the lubricant collecting assembly shown in FIG. 3 and is constructed to fit within the mount assembly of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the lubricant collecting assembly of FIG. 2, illustrating installation and/or removal of the tray assembly from the mount assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a construction machine 100 which has a moveable and pivotable lift arm, and be of the type that may perform several functions, such as excavation, demolition, mining, digging, and the like. The construction machine 100 may embody a shovel (shown in FIG. 1), an excavator, a loader, a tele-handler, or any other machine with significant moveable joints.

The construction machine 100 may include a machine frame 102, a pivotable lift arm 104, a stick 106, and a bucket 108. The machine frame 102 provides a base structure to mount various parts of the construction machine 100. The machine frame 102 has two flanged portions 110, 112, extending from the machine frame 102 and serve as the primary mounting structure for the pivotable lift arm 104.

The pivotable lift arm 104 includes a first end 114 and a second end 116. The first end 114 of the pivotable lift arm 104 is configured to fit within and be assembled with the flanged portions 110, 112 of the machine frame 102, via a pin joint 118. The second end 116 of the pivotable lift arm 104 is rotatably connected to the stick 106 and, in turn, the stick 106 is attached to the bucket 108. The specific arrangement of the pivotable lift arm 104, the stick 106, and the bucket 108, enables the construction machine 100 to perform excavation.

The pin joint 118 will now be described. The pin joint 118, is positioned between the pivotable lift arm 104 and the machine frame 102. A pin 120 extends through the pair of flanged portions 110, 112 and retains a cylindrical portion 122 of the pivotable lift arm 104. The pin joint 118 is lubricated at regular intervals of time to keep a significant layer of lubrication between friction members to avoid wear and tear between related parts that would otherwise be metal-to-metal without adequate lubrication. In certain situations, such as excess lubrication, the lubricant may drip or fall from the pin joint 118. A lubricant collecting assembly 200 (FIG. 2) is provided to collect the excess lubricant.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an enlarged view of a portion of the construction machine 100, namely the underside of the pin joint 118, illustrating the lubricant collecting assembly 200, attached with the machine frame 102 for collecting falling lubricant from the pin joint 118. The lubricant collecting assembly 200 may be mounted on an inner side 202 of the flanged portion 110 below the pin joint 118. However, the present disclosure contemplates the use of a second lubricant collecting assembly 200 mounted on the opposing underside of the pin joint 118 located on the wall or an inner side 204 of the flanged portion 112 of the machine frame 102 for the pin joint 118 which have a tendency to drip lubrication in proximity to both flanged portions 110, 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the two lubricant collecting assemblies 200 are each respectively mounted on its own flanged portion 110, 112 (FIG. 1) of the machine frame 102. The assembly and the components of the lubricant collecting assembly 200 are further described in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the lubricant collecting assembly 200 for collecting extra lubricant dripping from the pin joint 118 (FIGS. 2 and 6). The lubricant collecting assembly 200 includes a mount assembly 206 and a tray assembly 208. The mount assembly 206 may be attached to one of the flanged portions 110, 112 (or both if the use of two lubricant collecting assemblies 200 is contemplated) of the machine frame 102 by riveting, bolting, welding, or any other attachment method as is customary. The tray assembly 208 is not permanently attached with the mount assembly 206. Rather, the tray assembly 208 is supported by, retained within and removably positioned to interact with the mount assembly 206 to facilitate expedient installation and removal of the tray assembly 208. The structural details of the mount assembly 206 and the tray assembly 208 is respectively described in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the mount assembly 206 of the lubricant collecting assembly 200 (FIG. 3). The mount assembly 206 includes a base portion 302, a first longitudinal wall 304, a second longitudinal wall 306, a transverse wall 308, and a lip portion 310.

The base portion 302 may be a rectangular plate, which provides a generally planar surface to support the tray assembly 208 (FIGS. 3 and 5). The base portion 302 includes an inner surface 312, which is configured to be in direct contact with the tray assembly 208, and a bottom surface 314. Moreover, the base portion 302 includes a first end portion 316 and a second end portion 318.

Further, the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306 extend generally perpendicularly from the base portion 302, between the first end portion 316 and the second end portion 318. The first longitudinal wall 304 includes spaced tabs or mounting portions 320, which are used to attach the mount assembly 206 to at least one of the flanged portion 110 or flanged portion 112 of the machine frame 102. The mounting portions 320 of the first longitudinal wall 304 are each structured to receive a fastener 322 (FIGS. 2 and 6) to mount the first longitudinal wall 304 and the entire lubricant collecting assembly 200 to the flanged portion 110 of the machine frame 102. The present disclosure contemplates various types of fasteners 322 may be used such as, but not limited to, threaded fasteners, rivets, weld or any other fastening method known to those having ordinary skill in the art.

The mount assembly 206 further includes a back or transverse wall 308 extended generally perpendicular from the first end portion 316 of the base portion 302, and connects with the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306. The transverse wall 308 includes a tab portion 324 which is angled towards the tray assembly 208 (FIGS. 2 and 3) when assembled, to secure the tray assembly 208 within the mount assembly 206 during bumpy operation of the construction machine 100.

The mount assembly 206 includes a front wall or the lip portion 310 which extends generally perpendicularly from the second end portion 318 of the base portion 302 and connects the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306. The lip portion 310 is shorter in height relative to the transverse wall 308. Therefore, the mount assembly 206 forms a generally wedge and/or rectangular shaped box structure. In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion 302 is angled with respect to a horizontal plane thereby the mount assembly 206 forms a generally wedge shaped box structure. In another exemplary embodiment, the base portion 302 is parallel to the horizontal plane thereby the mount assembly 206 forms a generally rectangular shaped box structure. Each of the base portion 302, the first longitudinal wall 304, the second longitudinal wall 306, the transverse wall 308 and the lip portion 310 may be manufactured and assembled using a die-cut metal sheet pattern which is accordingly bent to form this box with adjacent and unconnected walls being welded for example. Alternatively, the mount assembly 206 may be constructed of individual pieces which may be continuous or spot welded together at intersections, as is customary.

Referring to FIG. 5, the tray assembly 208 will now be described. The tray assembly 208 may be removably positioned inside the mount assembly 206 as is best seen in FIG. 3. The tray assembly 208, not unlike the mount assembly 206 is a box like container structure and must be generally leak proof to suitably catch and contain dripping lubricant. The tray assembly 208 includes a bottom 326, a first and second longitudinal side walls 328, 330, a back wall 332 and a front wall 334 all generally perpendicularly extended from and joined with the bottom 326. Each of the first and second longitudinal side walls 328, 330 respectively define wing portions 336, 338. The wing portions 336, 338 flare outwardly relative to their respective first and second longitudinal side walls 328, 330 to provide a wide envelope for the tray assembly 208 which aids in catching substantially all of the lubricant dripping from the pin joint 118 (FIG. 2). The tray assembly 208 further includes a handle 340 to aid a service person in expedient installation and removal of the tray assembly 208 from the mount assembly 206.

In the assembled position as is best shown in FIG. 2, the tray assembly 208 is positioned within the mount assembly 206, such that the first and second longitudinal side walls 328, 330 of the tray assembly 208 are substantially parallel to and respectively guided by the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306 of the mount assembly 206 during assembly (as shown in FIG. 6). It will be understood that when the tray assembly 208 is placed inside the mount assembly 206, the wing portion 336 of the first longitudinal side wall 328 substantially abuts the inner side 202 of the flanged portion 110 of the machine frame 102, thereby directing additional lubrication that is running down the inner side 202 of the flanged portion 110, within itself.

Further, it will be understood that the tray assembly 208 is by design retained within the mount assembly 206 during normal operation of the construction machine 100. This is due to the tray assembly 208 being of complimentary configuration relative to the mount assembly 206 however sized slightly smaller to keep the tray assembly 208 from tipping. Moreover, the tab portion 324 of the mount assembly 206 acts to retain the tray assembly 208 yet allows for the tray assembly 208 to be expediently removed by a slight pull of the handle 340 of the tray assembly 208. The tab portion 324 may be angled such that the tab portion 324 is substantially parallel to the base portion 302 and the bottom 326, for efficiently securing of the tray assembly 208 within the mount assembly 206. However, it may be contemplated that the tab portion 324 may be angled at any angle towards the tray assembly 208 to secure the tray assembly 208 within the mount assembly 206.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the construction machine 100, illustrating the tray assembly 208 being installed and/or removed from the mount assembly 206. The tray assembly 208 can be removed from the mount assembly 206 by pulling it by the handle 340. Therefore, to remove the tray assembly 208 from the mount assembly 206, an operator lifts the tray assembly 208 with the handle 340, to place the bottom 326 of the tray assembly 208 over the lip portion 310, and to disengage the tray assembly 208 from the tab portion 324. Further, the tray assembly 208 is removed from the mount assembly 206 by sliding it over the lip portion 310 and the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306 act as guides to keep the tray assembly 208 from tipping as it is removed. Installation of the tray assembly 208 is then a reverse procedure of its removal.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

During normal operation of the construction machine 100, some lubricant may drip off from the pin joint 118. The lubricant that drips from the pin joint 118 flows along the flanged portion 110 of the machine frame 102, towards the lubricant collecting assembly 200. The lubricant dripping from the pin joint 118 may either collect in the tray assembly 208 or in a plastic bag positioned inside the tray assembly 208.

The wing portions 336, 338 of respective first and second longitudinal side walls 328, 330 of tray assembly 208 create a large envelope to catch falling lubricant that drips along the inner side 202 of flanged portion 110. The dripping lubricant is caught due to the wing portion 336 of the first longitudinal side wall 328 being in abutment with the flanged portion 110 of the machine frame 102 and therefore the construction of the tray assembly 208 directs the lubricant into the tray assembly 208 by flowing along the wing portion 336.

After a certain period of time, the tray assembly 208 may be required to be emptied. During such a service event, the tray assembly 208 is pulled by the handle 340, to disengage the tray assembly 208 from the tab portion 324, and the bottom 326 of the tray assembly 208 rides along the lip portion 310 of the mount assembly 206. While sliding, the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306 of the mount assembly 206 guide the tray assembly 208 to reduce the occurrence of side-to-side tipping, thereby facilitating quick and efficient removal of the tray assembly 208. Further, the tray assembly 208 may be re-installed on the mount assembly 206, once the tray assembly 208 is cleaned, in the same manner. The tray assembly 208 is re-installed by pushing the tray assembly 208, and the bottom 326 of the tray assembly 208 rides along the lip portion 310 of the mount assembly 206. While sliding, the first and second longitudinal walls 304, 306 of the mount assembly 206 guide the tray assembly 208 to reduce the occurrence of side-to-side tipping. The tray assembly 208 slides above the lip portion 310 to be installed in the mount assembly 206, and the tray assembly 208 engages with the tab portion 324, which acts to retain the tray assembly 208. Since the tray assembly 208 is removably positioned inside the mount assembly 206, the tray assembly 208 is efficiently installed and removed. 

what is claimed is:
 1. A lubricant collecting assembly for a construction machine, the construction machine including a pivotable lift arm assembled to a machine frame via a pin joint, the lubricant collecting assembly comprising: a mount assembly attached to the machine frame, the mount assembly including: a base portion having a first end portion and a second end portion; a first longitudinal wall and a second longitudinal wall both extended from the base portion, at least one of the first or second longitudinal walls having a mounting portion for attaching the mount assembly to the machine frame; a transverse wall extended from the first end portion of the base portion and positioned between the first and second longitudinal walls, the transverse wall includes a tab portion and defines a height; and a lip portion extended from the second end portion of the base portion between the first and second longitudinal walls, the lip portion defining a height, the height of the lip portion being less than the height of the transverse wall; and a tray assembly structured and arranged to be removably positioned within the mount assembly and retained by the tab portion of the transverse wall of the mount assembly, the tray assembly includes a first and second longitudinal side walls, the first and second longitudinal side walls define wing portions extended outwardly relative to the first and second longitudinal side walls. 